Kratom Capsules: The Pros and Cons

There are multiple ways of taking kratom such as kratom tea, Toss & Wash Method, and mixing kratom with juice, yogurt, smoothies or protein shakes.

There are even some less common ways of using kratom. These can be kratom soap, kratom baths, kratom salve, and body butter, or even kratom essential oil.

However, when it comes to ingesting kratom, there are users who give preference to kratom capsules.

Pros of Taking Kratom Capsules

You Don’t Taste the Kratom

When you do your research on the taste of kratom, you’ll find lots of negative adjectives. Many describe kratom as bitter or even awful, disgusting or pungent.

We’ve tried kratom from quite a few brands out there. And, from personal experience, we know it’s not always like that. There are vendors whose kratom doesn’t taste bad at all. However, not every vendor and not all kratom is the same.

If you absolutely dislike the taste of kratom, then kratom capsules can be a solution to that. Since they create a barrier between kratom and your taste buds, you don’t taste it at all.

No Mess (or Loss) Taking Your Kratom Dose

Have you ever spilled kratom when making kratom tea? Or when transferring it from a bad to a container for storage. I’m sure you have at least once. It makes a mess. And it’s always a shame to waste even a tiny bit of the beneficial powder.

With kratom capsules, there are no spills, and therefore no mess and no waste.

You Can Save Time when Taking Kratom

Preparing kratom usually takes time. You need to measure it properly and mix it with the liquid of your choice.

If you make kratom tea, you also need to factor in the time needed for the water to boil and for the tea to simmer. The whole process can easily take up at least 20-30  minutes of your time.

In contrast, taking kratom capsules is straightforward and easy. You simply need to count the right number of capsules, swallow them and drink some water.

Kratom Capsules Are Easier to Swallow 

While there are people who have a hard time swallowing pills, according to a number of users, kratom capsules can be easier to swallow than kratom powder.

If your method of choice is Toss & Wash, it can be really fast but only if you do it right. Otherwise, it can make you gag or some of the powder may stick to your throat. You may even cough up some powder.

With kratom capsules though, you don’t have direct contact with the powder. This can make the swallowing process easier.

Kratom Capsules Are Easy to Transport

If you plan to take kratom while you travel, go on a hike, or are on the road for any reason, this can be quite problematic. Kratom capsules, however, are convenient to transport and take if you’re not in your regular environment.

Kratom Capsules Make Measuring Your Kratom Dose Easier

When taking kratom, you need to be making sure that you’re taking the right dose. To do that, you need to measure it every time you take kratom. If you simply eye your dose, you can end up experiencing kratom side effects.

Kratom Capsules May Be Easier to Store

You need to store kratom properly in order for it to retain its freshness and beneficial properties. After you purchase kratom, you should store in airtight containers away from heat, light, and moisture. Even too much air, such as opening the container often or leaving a small amount of kratom in a big container, can affect the quality of the product.

This requires you to spend some time and effort storing your kratom powder properly. With capsules, it’s much easier. The powder is already inside airtight containers and you do not need to do any extra work.

Cons of Taking Kratom Capsules

Limited Availability

Any kratom vendor sells kratom powder. Yet, it’s not the same with kratom capsules. Not all vendors sell them. This means that even if you have a favorite brand that you trust, you may need to seek a new one if you would like to take kratom capsules.

Another problem is that not all strains are available in capsule form. So, chances are that you won’t be able to find your favorite strain sold in capsules.

Higher Price

Kratom capsules require more time, manpower and resources to be produced. As a result, they are more expensive than kratom powder.

Kratom Capsules May Irritate Your Stomach

Most kratom capsules are made of gelatin. Since you likely will take several capsules, the amount of gelatin that you ingest may irritate your stomach. Gelatin absorbs water and expands in the stomach. In some cases, this may cause heaviness in the stomach, bloating, heartburn, and cramps.

Some people may even be allergic to gelatin.

An alternative is vegetarian capsules, but they are less frequently available than gelatin ones.

Kratom Capsules May Be Inconvenient for Larger Doses

If you prefer to take kratom for stress or pain relief, insomnia or to wind down and relax, you will need a large dose. That means more capsules or at least, larger ones.

A large number of small capsules will contain a large amount of gelatin which may upset your stomach. Larger capsules may be hard to swallow.

Humans, in general, aren’t designed to swallow solid objects. Therefore, large kratom  capsules may trigger your gag reflex and turn kratom intake into an unpleasant experience.

Kratom Capsules Take Longer to Kick In

Before your stomach is able to digest kratom, it needs to break down the capsule coating. This slows down the onset of kratom, slow down its release and, according to users, may weaken the effects of kratom altogether.

Capsules Can Contain Unwanted Substances

Regardless of what capsules are made of, they may contain additives such as preservatives. Sometimes these can be harmful. While this may not affect you right away, harmful substances can accumulate in your body over time and negatively affect your health.

Kratom Capsules Make Your Kidneys and Liver Work Harder

Your liver and kidneys will need to work extra to digest and excrete the coating of the capsules. Especially if you take more capsules.

Without a proper, balanced diet, too much gelatin can also be harmful to the liver and kidneys. Because of that, people with kidneys and liver issues should avoid taking gelatin capsules.

How to Make Kratom Capsules At Home

If you love kratom capsules, but buying them regularly would break your bank, we have good news for you. You can make kratom capsules at home.

It may take you a few times to get the hang of it and you may make a mess doing that. Yet, it will be a lot cheaper than buying pre-made capsules.

Check out our guide for how to make kratom capsules at home if you’d like to give it a try.

The Bottom Line

We tried to be impartial with this review and include an equal amount of pros and cons. Same as there are different veins and strains of kratom, there are different preferences when it comes to taking kratom.

Therefore, it’s up to you to evaluate the pros and cons, choose what works best for your lifestyle.

Have you ever taken kratom capsules? What can you tell about your experience with them? Are there any more pros or cons that you can add to our list?